April 5, 2009

Yikes...Bon Jovi sues all-girl cover band

Is this for real?

Bon Jovi Sue Tribute Band
by Paul Cashmere - April 5 2009
photo by Ros O'Gorman

Bon Jovi appears to have sunk to a new low - suing a covers band.

A legal letter from the law firm Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman to the girl group Blonde Jovi has surfaced and states, “It has recently come to our attention that your band is using the mark and name BLONDE JOVI in connection with live musical performances; more specifically, a Bon Jovi tribute band. Our investigation also uncovered that you are using BJP’s “Heart and Dagger” Logo trademark prominently on your website. Unfortunately, and despite the fact that our client appreciates the reverence that your band pays tribute to Bon Jovi, as a tribute band, our client nevertheless is charged with the duty of enforcing its trademark rights. In this regard, BJP cannot allow your band to use the mark and name BLONDE JOVI (or any other BJP trademarks), as such use creates a likelihood of confusion with our client, and capitalizes on the goodwill and reputation of its well-known marks”.

Is Jon Bon Jovi for real or does he well and truly have his head stuck up his own arse?

A girl-group playing in tiny venues who are paying homage to their heroes “creates a likelihood of confusion” with one of the biggest rock bands in the world.

This is arrogance at its greatest. Bon Jovi should be ashamed of themselves for putting their pitbull lawyers onto a group who obviously adore the band.

“In view of the above, we demand, on behalf of our client, that you and your band immediately (i) cease and desist any and all further use of the mark and name BLONDE JOVI, or any other mark or name similar to our client’s BON JOVI mark, in any manner”.

This line cracked me up. “We have no objection to your use of the word BLONDE as long as it is not used in combination with JOVI”.

If this is the attitude of Bon Jovi a cease and desist is definitely in order. Fans should cease and desist listening to their music, cease and desist buying their music and cease and desist going to their concerts.


There is a discussion going on about this at Hath's site. Do you think Bon Jovi Inc. is out of line? Or should Blonde Jovi, now Blonde Jersey as of yesterday, step off the stage and get back in the audience?

-B

1 comment:

christy said...

I think both sides have a point. it was harsh maybe to sue them when they're just a group of fans honoring their favorite band, but they did use the band's logo which is copyright infringement.

Man, Bon jovi really is in the legal eye lately, huh.